Bruce Rondon called up, Octavio Dotel to the disabled list

The Tigers have made their first roster move of the regular season today, recalling 22-year-old Bruce Rondon from Triple-A Toledo. Octavio Dotel, who has been battling elbow soreness and inflammation, has been put on the disabled list retroactive to April 20th. Detroit News reporter Lynn Henning was the first to break the news.

Tigers have just recalled brice rondon ... Dotel on DL.

— Lynn G. Henning (@Lynn_Henning) April 23, 2013

After a rough spring in which Rondon was 2-1 with a 5.84 ERA and 1.74 WHIP, he has settled down nicely in Toledo. In seven appearances, Rondon has yet to allow a run. He has struck out nine batters while only walking two in 7 2/3 innings with the Mud Hens.

Dotel's elbow troubles date back to the series in Oakland, where he was unable to keep his warmup pitches in the bullpen prior to an appearance in the Tigers' 4-3 loss to the Athletics. He was shut down for a few days afterward, but came back to make two appearances at the end of the road trip, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks in just 2/3 of an inning.

The team hasn't had many opportunities to use their relievers in the eighth- and ninth-inning roles that we saw from Benoit and Jose Valverde so often over the past couple years, so it will be interesting to see where Rondon fits in with the current bullpen. Joaquin Benoit will likely stay in the closer role, while Rondon would presumably slot into a setup role.